EP3460531B1 - Scanning-bildgebungssystem zur sicheren inspektion eines objekts und bildgebungsverfahren dafür - Google Patents

Scanning-bildgebungssystem zur sicheren inspektion eines objekts und bildgebungsverfahren dafür Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3460531B1
EP3460531B1 EP18178449.7A EP18178449A EP3460531B1 EP 3460531 B1 EP3460531 B1 EP 3460531B1 EP 18178449 A EP18178449 A EP 18178449A EP 3460531 B1 EP3460531 B1 EP 3460531B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
radiographic sources
scanning
projection images
imaging system
trigger pulse
Prior art date
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EP18178449.7A
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English (en)
French (fr)
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EP3460531A1 (de
Inventor
Li Zhang
Zhiqiang Chen
Le SHEN
Qingping Huang
Yunda Sun
Xin Jin
Hui DING
Yuxiang Xing
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Tsinghua University
Nuctech Co Ltd
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Tsinghua University
Nuctech Co Ltd
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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01V—GEOPHYSICS; GRAVITATIONAL MEASUREMENTS; DETECTING MASSES OR OBJECTS; TAGS
    • G01V5/00—Prospecting or detecting by the use of ionising radiation, e.g. of natural or induced radioactivity
    • G01V5/20—Detecting prohibited goods, e.g. weapons, explosives, hazardous substances, contraband or smuggled objects
    • G01V5/22—Active interrogation, i.e. by irradiating objects or goods using external radiation sources, e.g. using gamma rays or cosmic rays
    • G01V5/226—Active interrogation, i.e. by irradiating objects or goods using external radiation sources, e.g. using gamma rays or cosmic rays using tomography
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01V—GEOPHYSICS; GRAVITATIONAL MEASUREMENTS; DETECTING MASSES OR OBJECTS; TAGS
    • G01V5/00—Prospecting or detecting by the use of ionising radiation, e.g. of natural or induced radioactivity
    • G01V5/20—Detecting prohibited goods, e.g. weapons, explosives, hazardous substances, contraband or smuggled objects
    • G01V5/22—Active interrogation, i.e. by irradiating objects or goods using external radiation sources, e.g. using gamma rays or cosmic rays
    • G01V5/228—Active interrogation, i.e. by irradiating objects or goods using external radiation sources, e.g. using gamma rays or cosmic rays using stereoscopic means
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N23/00—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of wave or particle radiation, e.g. X-rays or neutrons, not covered by groups G01N3/00 – G01N17/00, G01N21/00 or G01N22/00
    • G01N23/02—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of wave or particle radiation, e.g. X-rays or neutrons, not covered by groups G01N3/00 – G01N17/00, G01N21/00 or G01N22/00 by transmitting the radiation through the material
    • G01N23/04—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of wave or particle radiation, e.g. X-rays or neutrons, not covered by groups G01N3/00 – G01N17/00, G01N21/00 or G01N22/00 by transmitting the radiation through the material and forming images of the material
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N23/00—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of wave or particle radiation, e.g. X-rays or neutrons, not covered by groups G01N3/00 – G01N17/00, G01N21/00 or G01N22/00
    • G01N23/02—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of wave or particle radiation, e.g. X-rays or neutrons, not covered by groups G01N3/00 – G01N17/00, G01N21/00 or G01N22/00 by transmitting the radiation through the material
    • G01N23/04—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of wave or particle radiation, e.g. X-rays or neutrons, not covered by groups G01N3/00 – G01N17/00, G01N21/00 or G01N22/00 by transmitting the radiation through the material and forming images of the material
    • G01N23/046—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of wave or particle radiation, e.g. X-rays or neutrons, not covered by groups G01N3/00 – G01N17/00, G01N21/00 or G01N22/00 by transmitting the radiation through the material and forming images of the material using tomography, e.g. computed tomography [CT]
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N2223/00—Investigating materials by wave or particle radiation
    • G01N2223/20—Sources of radiation
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N2223/00—Investigating materials by wave or particle radiation
    • G01N2223/30—Accessories, mechanical or electrical features
    • G01N2223/33—Accessories, mechanical or electrical features scanning, i.e. relative motion for measurement of successive object-parts
    • G01N2223/3307—Accessories, mechanical or electrical features scanning, i.e. relative motion for measurement of successive object-parts source and detector fixed; object moves

Definitions

  • the disclosure relates to a field of radiation imaging, and in particular to a scanning imaging system for security inspection of an object and an imaging method thereof.
  • the transmission images of an object to be inspected include two-dimensional and three-dimensional images, wherein the three-dimensional images are more recognizable than the two-dimensional images as problems caused by overlapping of the two-dimensional images along the thickness direction thereof may be eliminated.
  • the imaging of a three-dimensional image of the object to be inspected is to revolve radiographic sources around the object to be inspected and to reconstruct an image of the internal structure of the object to be inspected by using transmission data from different angles of the object to be inspected.
  • a linear scanning based imaging method is developed, in which the radiographic sources are fixed at one side of a scanning channel and the object to be inspected is moved relative to the radiographic sources along a broken line, and the transmission data of the object to be inspected from different angles are used to reconstruct the image of the internal structure of the object to be inspected.
  • US 6236709 B1 relates to a continuous high speed tomographic imaging system and a method
  • WO 2013078344 A1 relates to high speed, small footprint X-ray tomography inspection systems, devices and methods
  • US 20140294147 A1 relates to systems and methods for multi-view imaging and tomography
  • US 20090116617 A1 relates to multiple image collection and synthesis for personnel screening
  • US 20160051211 A1 relates to a multi-beam stereoscopic X-ray body scanner
  • EP 2713156 A1 relates to a device and a method for ray scanning and imaging
  • WO 2011091070 A2 relates to a multi-view cargo scanner
  • WO 2016141595 A1 relates to a X-ray detection device.
  • Embodiments of the disclosure provide a scanning imaging system for security inspection of an object and an imaging method thereof, which may solve the problem that the data in the cone angle direction of the radiographic sources is incomplete and thus eliminate the artifacts in the reconstructed image of the object to be inspected.
  • embodiments of the disclosure provide a scanning imaging system for security inspection of an object as defined in claim 1.
  • the plurality of radiographic sources are arranged such that a projection of a vertical line, on which the plurality of radiographic sources are located, on the linear detector array is at a middle position of the linear detector array.
  • the plurality of linear-array detectors are configured for detecting the first projection images, which are formed after the ray beams emitted by the plurality of radiographic sources penetrate through the object, in the process of the object passing through the scanning area, respectively.
  • the scanning imaging system further comprises a revolving unit at an end of the conveying unit, the revolving unit being configured for revolving the object through a preset angle when the object passes through the scanning area and moves to an end of the conveying unit, wherein the conveying unit is further configured for bringing the revolved object to pass through the scanning area, the linear detector array is further configured for detecting second projection images, which are formed after the ray beams emitted by the plurality of radiographic sources penetrate through the revolved object, in the process of the revolved object passing through the scanning area, and the imaging unit is further configured for obtaining a second reconstructed image of the object based on the first projection images and the second projection images of the plurality of radiographic sources.
  • the scanning imaging system further comprises a pulse generator configured for generating a trigger pulse sequence for controlling the plurality of radiographic sources to alternately emit the ray beams.
  • the trigger pulse sequence comprises trigger pulse signals corresponding to the plurality of radiographic sources one by one within each cycle, the trigger pulse signals being used for controlling the radiographic sources to emit the ray beams with the same energy.
  • the trigger pulse sequence comprises trigger pulse signal groups corresponding to the plurality of radiographic sources one by one within each cycle, the trigger pulse signal group comprising a first trigger pulse signal and a second trigger pulse signal, which are used for controlling a corresponding radiographic source to emit a first sub ray beam with first energy and a second sub ray beam with second energy in turn.
  • the scanning imaging system further comprises a decomposing unit configured for decomposing the first projection images into first sub projection images corresponding to the first sub ray beam and second sub projection images corresponding to the second sub ray beam, wherein the imaging unit is further configured for obtaining the first reconstructed image of the object based on the first sub projection images and the second sub projection images.
  • the radiographic sources are acceleration radiographic sources.
  • embodiments of the disclosure provide a scanning imaging method for security inspection of an object, the scanning imaging method applied to the above scanning imaging system for security inspection of an object and comprising:
  • the linear detector array comprises a plurality of linear-array detectors arranged successively along the conveying direction of the conveying unit, the scanning imaging method further comprising: detecting, respectively by the plurality of linear-array detectors, the first projection images, which are formed after the ray beams emitted by the plurality of radiographic sources penetrate through the object, in the process of the object passing through the scanning area.
  • the step of obtaining the first reconstructed image of the object comprises: reconstructing the first reconstructed image of the object from the first projection images of the plurality of radiographic sources with a CT reconstructing algorithm.
  • the scanning imaging system further comprises a revolving unit at an end of the conveying unit, the scanning imaging method further comprising:
  • the scanning imaging system further comprises a pulse generator, before the step of forming the scanning area, the scanning imaging method further comprising: generating, by the pulse generator, a trigger pulse sequence for controlling the plurality of radiographic sources to alternately emit the ray beams.
  • the trigger pulse sequence comprises trigger pulse signals corresponding to the plurality of radiographic sources one by one within each cycle, the trigger pulse signals being used for controlling the radiographic sources to emit the ray beams with the same energy.
  • the trigger pulse sequence comprises trigger pulse signal groups corresponding to the plurality of radiographic sources one by one within each cycle, the trigger pulse signal group comprising a first trigger pulse signal and a second trigger pulse signal, which are used for controlling a corresponding radiographic source to emit a first sub ray beam with first energy and a second sub ray beam with second energy in turn.
  • the scanning imaging system further comprises a decomposing unit, the step of obtaining the first reconstructed image of the object comprising:
  • the object may be brought by the conveying unit to move along the conveying direction of the conveying unit and thus pass through the scanning area formed by the ray beams alternately emitted by the plurality of radiographic sources arranged successively along the direction vertical to the plane in which the conveying unit is located; the first projection images, which are formed after the ray beams emitted by the plurality of radiographic sources penetrate through the object, in the process of the object passing through the scanning area are detected by the linear detector array; the first reconstructed image of the object is obtained by the imaging unit based on the first projection images of the plurality of radiographic sources.
  • the imaging unit may obtain multiple sets of data in the cone angle direction of the plurality of radiographic sources at different heights in one scanning process, thus solving the problem that the data in the cone angle direction of the radiographic sources is incomplete and eliminating the artifacts in the reconstructed image of the object to be inspected.
  • Embodiments of the disclosure provide a scanning imaging system for security inspection of an object and an imaging method thereof, which are suitable for security inspection of objects in various public places, capable of obtaining distribution maps of attenuation coefficients within the objects and automatically recognizing dangerous objects, and advantageous in security inspection of large-size objects such as containers.
  • Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a structure of the scanning imaging system for security inspection of an object in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.
  • the scanning imaging system includes a conveying unit 101, a plurality of radiographic sources 102, a linear detector array 103 and an imaging unit (not shown).
  • the conveying unit 101 is configured for bringing the object to move along a conveying direction (as indicated by an arrow in Fig. 1 ) of the conveying unit 101.
  • the conveying unit 101 may be embodied as for example, a belt conveyor, a link conveyor, a gear conveyor or any other conveyors. There is no restriction on the conveying unit.
  • an object to be inspected is placed above the conveying unit 101.
  • a power mechanism of the conveying unit 101 may support both one-way conveying and two-way conveying.
  • the plurality of radiographic sources 102 are located at one side of the conveying unit 101 and arranged successively in a direction vertical to a plane, in which the conveying unit 101 is located. That is, the plurality of radiographic sources 102 are distributed at different heights on a vertical line.
  • the plurality of radiographic sources 102 alternately emit ray beams to form a scanning area.
  • the radiographic sources 102 may be acceleration radiographic sources having adjustable energy and strong penetrating power.
  • the linear detector array 103 is located at the other side of the conveying unit 101 and arranged corresponding to the plurality of radiographic sources 102.
  • the linear detector array 103 is configured for detecting first projection images, which are formed after the ray beams emitted by the plurality of radiographic sources 102 penetrate through the object, in the process of the object passing through the scanning area.
  • the ray beams emitted by the plurality of radiographic sources 102 will decay after penetrating through the object, that is, a part of the ray beams will be absorbed by the object, so the first projection images will be formed after the decay.
  • each radiographic source 102 corresponds to a set of first projection images, and the ray beams emitted by the plurality of radiographic sources 102 may correspond to multiple sets of first projection images.
  • the imaging unit is configured for obtaining a first reconstructed image of the object based on the first projection images of the plurality of radiographic sources 102, that is, the multiple sets of first projection images.
  • a CT reconstructing algorithm may be used for reconstructing the first reconstructed image of the object from the first projection images of the plurality of radiographic sources 102.
  • the first reconstructed image may be a distribution map of attenuation coefficients, an atomic number map and / or an electron density map.
  • the CT reconstructing algorithm may be an iterative reconstructing algorithm, for example, an algebraic reconstructing algorithm, a statistical iterative algorithm and so on.
  • the conveying unit 101 brings the object to move along the conveying direction of the conveying unit 101 and thus pass through the scanning area formed by the ray beams alternately emitted by the plurality of radiographic sources 102 arranged in the direction vertical to the plane, in which the conveying unit is located;
  • the linear detector array 103 detects the first projection images, which are formed after the ray beams emitted by the plurality of radiographic sources 102 penetrate through the object, in the process of the object passing through the scanning area;
  • the imaging unit obtains the first reconstructed image of the object based on the first projection images of the plurality of radiographic sources 102.
  • the imaging unit may obtain multiple sets of data in a cone angle direction of the plurality of radiographic sources 102 at different heights, thus solving the problem that data in the cone angle direction of the radiographic sources 102 is incomplete in the prior art and eliminating artifacts in the reconstructed image of the object.
  • the plurality of radiographic sources 102 are arranged such that a projection of a vertical line, on which the plurality of radiographic sources 102 are located, on the linear detector array 103 is at a middle position of the linear detector array 103.
  • the plurality of radiographic sources 102 are arranged in a manner shown in Fig. 2 , in which the distance between points A and C and the distance between points A and B are equal.
  • the number of the radiographic sources 102 may be determined according to distances between the radiographic sources 102 and the linear detector array 103. For example, more radiographic sources 102 may be arranged at locations nearer to the linear detector array 103, and less radiographic sources 102 may be arranged at locations farther to the linear detector array 103.
  • point D indicates the height of the object to be inspected, and the distance between the vertical line, on which the radiographic sources 102 are located, and the linear detector array 103 is less in Fig. 3 than in Fig. 4 .
  • the linear detector array 103 may include a plurality of linear-array detectors 1031 (see Fig. 1 ) arranged successively along the conveying direction of the conveying unit 101, and the plurality of linear-array detectors 1031 are configured for detecting the first projection images, which are formed after the ray beams emitted by the plurality of radiographic sources 102 penetrate through the object, in the process of the object passing through the scanning area, respectively.
  • the arrangement of the plurality of linear-array detectors 1031 is more flexible and costless.
  • the number of radiographic sources 102 is M
  • the number of linear-array detectors 1031 in the linear detector array 103 is N
  • both M and N are positive integers greater than 2.
  • Each linear-array detector 1031 may capture a transmission image of the ray beam emitted by each radiographic source 102 at a certain angle, that is, a piece of projection data, so M*N pieces of projection data may be obtained during a single scanning process.
  • the plurality of linear-array detectors 1031 are arranged centripetally around the vertical line, on which the plurality of radiographic sources 102 are located.
  • Fig. 5 is a top view of the plurality of linear-array detectors 1031. Each linear-array detector 1031 shown in Fig. 5 is arranged to deflect towards the vertical line, on which the radiographic sources 102 are located.
  • Each linear-array detector 1031 may be composed of a plurality of sub detectors stacked along the height direction thereof, and there may exist a gap between two neighboring sub detectors or the neighboring sub detectors may be connected seamless.
  • each sub detector may be a rectangular crystal.
  • a surface facing towards the radiographic sources 102 of each rectangular crystal is called a light receiving surface, or a surface wholly facing towards the radiographic sources 102 of each linear-array detector 1031 is called the light receiving surface.
  • the ray beams emitted by the radiographic sources 102 will pass through the light receiving surface and enter each rectangular crystal, and the projection images are generated after the ray beams are absorbed by the rectangular crystal.
  • the plurality of linear-array detectors 1031 are arranged centripetally around the vertical line, on which the plurality of radiographic sources 102 are located
  • the plurality of linear-array detectors 1031 are arranged such that a line vertical to the light receiving surface of each linear-array detector 103 crosses or intersects the vertical line, on which the plurality of radiographic sources 102 are located.
  • Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram of the ray beams emitted by the radiographic sources 102 being obliquely incident to the crystal in the prior art.
  • the thickness penetrated through by the ray beams of the crystal shown by dotted line 601 is far smaller than the actual thickness of the crystal, and the equivalent area of the crystal (shown by dashed section 602) is far greater than the actual area of the light receiving surface of the crystal.
  • Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram of the ray beams emitted by the radiographic sources 102 being vertically incident to the crystal in an embodiment of the disclosure. As shown in Fig. 7 , when the ray beams are vertically incident to the crystal, the thickness penetrated through by the ray beams of the crystal (shown by dotted line 701) is equal to the thickness of the crystal, and the equivalent area of the crystal is equal to the actual area of the light receiving surface of the crystal.
  • the ray beams being vertically incident to the crystal in the disclosure may increase the thickness effectively penetrated through by the ray beams of the crystal, increase the penetrating power of the ray beams and thus make the projection data carried by the detected projection images more comprehensive; on the other hand, may make the equivalent area of the crystal equal to the actual area of the light receiving surface, improve the spatial resolution of the ray beams and thus make the resolution of the projection data carried by the detected projection images higher.
  • the scanning imaging system further includes a revolving unit 901 (see Fig. 9 ) at an end of the conveying unit 101, the revolving unit 901 being configured for revolving the object through a preset angle when the object passes through the scanning area and moves to an end of the conveying unit 101.
  • a revolving unit 901 see Fig. 9
  • each end of the conveying unit may be provided with the revolving unit or only one end of the conveying unit may be provided with the revolving unit.
  • the conveying unit 101 is further configured for bringing the revolved object to pass through the scanning area; the linear detector array 103 is further configured for detecting second projection images, which are formed after the ray beams emitted by the plurality of radiographic sources 102 penetrate through the revolved object, in the process of the revolved object passing through the scanning area; and the image unit is further configured for obtaining a second reconstructed image of the object based on the first projection images and the second projection images of the plurality of radiographic sources 102.
  • the steps of revolving the object 104 to be inspected through the preset angle and bringing the object 104 to be inspected to pass through the scanning area may be repeated many times.
  • the larger the number of the object passing through the scanning area in one inspection the more comprehensive the object is irradiated, and the higher the quality of the reconstructed image is.
  • the preset angle of revolving the object may be set to 90° ⁇ 10° in order to make the object to be completely irradiated.
  • the preset angle of revolving the object may be set to (180/ N )° ⁇ 10° in order to make the object to be completely irradiated.
  • the scanning imaging system further includes a channel, which mainly provides a radiation protection and shielding function.
  • a shielding door is provided at the exit and entrance of the channel, and the conveying unit 101 is configured to pass through the channel.
  • Fig. 11 is an image of the object 104 to be inspected, which is generated by a linear scanning trajectory based imaging system in the prior art. It is found that there are obvious cone artifacts at positions indicated by arrows in upper and lower parts of the image.
  • Fig. 12 is an image of the object 104 to be inspected, which is generated by the scanning imaging system of embodiments of the disclosure. It is found that the cone artifacts are effectively restricted, and the generated image is more clear and balanced.
  • the scanning imaging system further includes a pulse generator (not shown) configured for generating a trigger pulse sequence for controlling the plurality of radiographic sources 102 to emit the ray beams alternately.
  • the pulse trigger sequence may include the following situations:
  • the trigger pulse sequence includes trigger pulse signals corresponding to the plurality of radiographic sources 102 one by one within one cycle, and the trigger pulse signals are used to control the radiographic sources 102 to emit the ray beams with the same energy.
  • Fig. 13 shows the trigger pulse signals corresponding to three radiographic sources 102 one by one.
  • the horizontal coordinate axis represents time and the trigger pulse signals corresponding to the three radiographic sources 102 one by one are alternately arranged along the time axis.
  • the vertical coordinate axis represents energy, and the energy indicated by all of the trigger pulse signals is E1.
  • the projection image data obtained by this way is complete data applicable for mono-energy CT reconstruction.
  • the trigger pulse sequence includes multiple groups of trigger pulse signals within one cycle, each group corresponding to a corresponding one radiographic source 102.
  • the group of trigger pulse signals includes a first trigger pulse signal and a second trigger pulse signal, which are used to control a corresponding one radiographic source 102 to emit a first sub ray beam with first energy and a second sub ray beam with second energy in turn.
  • the radiographic sources 102 may be dual-energy accelerators with adjustable energy.
  • Fig. 14 shows groups of trigger pulse signals corresponding to the three radiographic sources 102 one by one, that is, each radiographic source 102 emits two ray beams.
  • the horizontal coordinate axis represents time, and the groups of trigger pulse signals corresponding to the three radiographic sources 102 one by one are alternately arranged along the time axis.
  • the vertical coordinate axis represents energy, and the energy indicated by the first trigger pulse signal in each group of trigger pulse signals is E2, and the energy indicated by the second trigger pulse signal in each group of trigger pulse signals is E3.
  • the projection image data obtained by this way is complete data applicable for dual-energy CT reconstruction.
  • the scanning imaging system further includes a decomposing unit configured for decomposing first sub projection images and second sub projection images corresponding to the first sub ray beam and the second sub ray beam from the first projection images.
  • the imaging unit is further configured for obtaining the first reconstructed image of the object 104 to be inspected based to the first sub projection images and the second sub projection images.
  • the radiographic sources 102 may be mono-energy accelerators with adjustable energy.
  • the trigger pulse sequence includes trigger pulse signals corresponding to the plurality of radiographic sources 102 one by one within one cycle. In the first scanning process for the object 104 to be inspected, the trigger pulse signals are used to control the radiographic sources 102 to emit the ray beams with the same first energy; in the second scanning process for the object 104 to be inspected, the trigger pulse signals are used to control the radiographic sources 102 to emit the ray beams with the same second energy.
  • the energy indicated by all of the trigger pulse signals is E1 during the first scanning process (see Fig. 13 ); the energy indicated by all of the trigger pulse signals is E4 during the second scanning process (see Fig. 15 ).
  • the projection image data obtained in this way may also be used for dual-energy CT reconstruction.
  • the obtained image information of the object 104 to be inspected includes high energy attenuation coefficients, low energy attenuation coefficients, atomic numbers, electron densities and so on, so the object to be inspected may be classified in substance and recognized automatically.
  • FIG. 16 is a flow diagram of a scanning imaging method for security inspection of an object in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure, which is applied to the above described scanning imaging system for security inspection of an object.
  • the scanning imaging method in FIG. 16 includes steps 161 to 164.
  • step 161 the plurality of radiographic sources 102 are enabled to alternately emit the ray beams to form the scanning area.
  • step 162 the conveying unit 101 is enabled to bring the object to move along the conveying direction and thus pass through the scanning area.
  • step 163 the first projection images, which are formed after the ray beams emitted by the plurality of radiographic sources 102 penetrate through the object, in the process of the object passing through the scanning area are detected by the linear detector array 103.
  • step 164 the first reconstructed image of the object is obtained by the imaging unit based on the first projection images of the plurality of radiographic sources 102.
  • the linear detector array 103 includes a plurality of linear-array detectors 1031 successively arranged along the conveying direction of the conveying unit 101, and the scanning imaging method further includes: detecting, by the plurality of linear-array detectors 1031, the first projection images, which are formed after the ray beams emitted by the plurality of radiographic sources 102 penetrate through the object, in the process of the object passing through the scanning area, respectively.
  • the step of obtaining the first reconstructed image of the object includes: reconstructing the first reconstructed image of the object from the first projection images of the plurality of radiographic sources with a CT reconstructing algorithm.
  • FIG. 17 is a flow diagram of a scanning imaging method for security inspection of an object in accordance with another embodiment of the disclosure. The difference between Fig. 17 and FIG. 16 is that FIG. 17 further includes steps 165 to 168 after step 103.
  • step 165 when the object passes through the scanning area and moves to the end of the conveying unit 101, the object is revolved through the preset angle by the revolving unit 901, wherein the revolving unit 901 is located at an end of the conveying unit 101 (see Fig. 9 ).
  • step 166 the revolved object is brought by the conveying unit 101 to pass through the scanning area again.
  • step 167 the second projection images, which are formed after the ray beams emitted by the plurality of radiographic sources 102 penetrate through the revolved object, in the process of the revolved object passing through the scanning area are detected by the linear detector array 103.
  • step 168 the second reconstructed image of the object is obtained by the imaging unit based on the first projection images and the second projection images of the plurality of radiographic sources 102.
  • the scanning imaging system further includes the pulse trigger, and before the step of enabling the plurality of radiographic sources 102 to alternately emit the ray beams to form the scanning area, the scanning imaging method further includes: generating, by the pulse trigger, the trigger pulse sequence for controlling the plurality of radiographic sources 102 to alternately emit the ray beams.
  • the trigger pulse sequence may include the trigger pulse signals corresponding to the plurality of radiographic sources 102 one by one within one cycle, and the trigger pulse signals are used to control the radiographic sources 102 to emit the ray beams with the same energy.
  • the trigger pulse sequence may also include the multiple groups of trigger pulse signals within one cycle, the group corresponding to a corresponding radiographic source 102.
  • the group of trigger pulse signals includes the first trigger pulse signal and the second trigger pulse signal, which are used to control a corresponding radiographic source 102 to emit the first sub ray beam having first energy and a second sub ray beam having second energy.
  • the scanning imaging system further includes a decomposing unit.
  • Fig. 18 is a flow diagram of the scanning imaging method for security inspection of an object in accordance with another embodiment of the disclosure. The difference between Fig. 18 and FIG. 16 is that step 164 in FIG. 16 may be divided into steps 1641 and step 1642 in Fig. 18 .
  • step 1641 the first sub projection images corresponding to the first sub ray beam and the second sub projection image corresponding to the second sub ray beam are decomposed by the imaging unit from the first projection images.
  • step 1642 the first reconstructed image of the object is obtained by the imaging unit based on the first sub projection images and the second sub projection images.
  • Function blocks shown in the above structure block diagrams may be implemented as hardware, software, firmware or a combination thereof. When implemented in hardware, they may be, for example, electronic circuits, ASICs, proper firmware, plug-ins, function cards and so on. When implemented in software, elements of embodiments of the disclosure are a program or code segment for performing required tasks. Programs or code segments may be stored in machine readable media, or transmitted by means of data signals carried in carriers in transmission media or communication links.
  • the machine readable medium may include any medium that may store or transmit information.
  • machine-readable media examples include electronic circuits, semiconductor memory devices, ROMs, flash memories, erasable ROMs (EROMs), floppy disks, CD-ROMs, discs, hard disks, optical fiber media, radio frequency (RF) links, and so on.
  • the code segment may be downloaded through a computer network such as Internet, Intranet and so on.

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  • Analysing Materials By The Use Of Radiation (AREA)

Claims (12)

  1. Scan-Bildgebungssystem zur Sicherheitsinspektion eines Objekts, gekennzeichnet durch, umfassend:
    eine Fördereinheit (101), die dazu konfiguriert ist, das Objekt dazu bringt, sich das Objekt entlang einer Förderrichtung der Fördereinheit zu bewegen;
    eine Vielzahl von Röntgenquellen (102) auf einer Seite der Fördereinheit, wobei die Vielzahl von Röntgenquellen nacheinander in einer Richtung senkrecht zu einer Ebene angeordnet ist, in der sich die Fördereinheit befindet, und dazu konfiguriert sind, zum Bilden eines Scanbereiches abwechselnd Strahlungen zu emittieren;
    ein lineares Detektorarray (103) auf der anderen Seite der Fördereinheit, wobei das lineare Detektorarray dazu konfiguriert ist, erste Projektionsbilder zu erfassen, die während des Prozesses des Durchlaufens des Objekts durch den Scanbereich erzeugt werden, nachdem die durch die Vielzahl von Röntgenquellen emittierten Strahlungen das Objekt durchdrungen haben, und
    eine Abbildungseinheit, die dazu konfiguriert ist, ein erstes rekonstruiertes Bild des Objekts basierend auf den ersten Projektionsbildern der Vielzahl von Röntgenquellen zu erhalten,
    wobei das lineare Detektorarray (103) mehrere Lineararray-Detektoren (1031) umfasst, die nacheinander entlang der Förderrichtung der Fördereinheit angeordnet sind, wobei mehrere Lineararray-Detektoren zum Erfassen der ersten Projektionsbilder konfiguriert sind, die jeweils während des Prozesses des Durchlaufens des Objekts durch den Scanbereich erzeugt werden, nachdem die durch die Vielzahl von Röntgenquellen emittierten Strahlungen das Objekt durchdrungen haben, und dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die mehrehren Lineararray-Detektoren zentripetal um eine vertikale Linie angeordnet ist, auf der die Vielzahl von Röntgenquellen (102) angeordnet sind, und jeder Lineararray-Detektor (1031) so angeordnet ist, dass er in Richtung der vertikalen Linie abgelenkt wird, auf der sich die Röntgenquellen (102) befinden.
  2. Scan-Bildgebungssystem nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Vielzahl von Röntgenquellen so angeordnet ist, dass eine Projektion einer vertikalen Linie, auf der sich die Vielzahl von Röntgenquellen befindet, auf einer Ebene, in der sich das lineare Detektorarray befindet, in der Mitte des linearen Detektorarrays liegt.
  3. Scan-Bildgebungssystem nach einem der Ansprüche 1-2, gekennzeichnet durch ferner umfassend eine Dreheinheit (901) an einem Ende der Fördereinheit, wobei die Dreheinheit dazu konfiguriert ist, das Objekt um einen voreingestellten Winkel zu drehen, wenn das Objekt den Scanbereich durchläuft und sich zu einem Ende der Fördereinheit bewegt, wobei die Fördereinheit ferner so konfiguriert ist, dass das gedrehte Objekt den Scanbereich passiert, das lineare Detektorarray ferner zum Erfassen von zweiten Projektionsbildern konfiguriert ist, die während des Prozesses des Durchlaufens des gedrehten Objekts durch den Scanbereich erzeugt werden, nachdem die durch die Vielzahl von Röntgenquellen emittierten Strahlungen das gedrehte Objekt durchdrungen haben, und
    die Abbildungseinheit ferner dazu konfiguriert ist, ein zweites rekonstruiertes Bild des Objekts basierend auf den ersten Projektionsbildern und den zweiten Projektionsbildern der Vielzahl von Röntgenquellen zu erhalten.
  4. Scan-Bildgebungssystem nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 3, gekennzeichnet durch ferner umfassend einen Impulsgenerator, der zum Erzeugen einer Auslöseimpulssequenz konfiguriert ist, die die Vielzahl von Röntgenquellen so steuert, dass die Strahlungen abwechselnd emittiert werden.
  5. Scan-Bildgebungssystem nach Anspruch 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Auslöseimpulssequenz Auslöseimpulssignale umfasst, die der Vielzahl von Röntgenquellen nacheinander innerhalb jedes Zyklus entsprechen, wobei die Auslöseimpulssignale zum Steuern der Röntgenquellen verwendet werden, damit die Strahlungen mit der gleichen Energie emittiert werden.
  6. Scan-Bildgebungssystem nach Anspruch 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Auslöseimpulssequenz Auslöseimpulssignal-Gruppen umfasst, die der Vielzahl von Röntgenquellen nacheinander innerhalb jedes Zyklus entsprechen, wobei die Auslöseimpulssignal-Gruppe ein erstes Auslöseimpulssignal und ein zweites Auslöseimpulssignal umfasst, die zum Steuerung einer entsprechenden Röntgenquelle verwendet werden, damit wiederum eine erste Teilstrahlung mit erster Energie und eine zweite Teilstrahlung mit zweiter Energie emittiert werden.
  7. Scan-Bildgebungssystem nach Anspruch 6, gekennzeichnet durch ferner umfassend eine Zerlegungseinheit, die zum Zerlegen der ersten Projektionsbilder in der ersten Teilstrahlung entsprechende erste Teilprojektionsbilder und der zweiten Teilstrahlung entsprechende zweite Teilprojektionsbilder konfiguriert ist, wobei
    die Abbildungseinheit ferner dazu konfiguriert ist, das erste rekonstruierte Bild des Objekts basierend auf den ersten Teilprojektionsbildern und den zweiten Teilprojektionsbildern zu erhalten.
  8. Scan-Bildgebungssystem nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 7, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Röntgenquellen Beschleunigungsstrahlquellen sind.
  9. Scan-Bildgebungsverfahren zur Sicherheitsinspektion eines Objekts, wobei das Scan-Bildgebungsverfahren mit dem Scan-Bildgebungssystem zur Sicherheitsinspektion eines Objekts nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 8 verwendet wird und gekennzeichnet durch umfassend:
    Ermöglichen, dass die Vielzahl von Röntgenquellen (102) zum Bilden eines Scanbereiches Strahlungen abwechselnd emittieren (161);
    Ermöglichen, dass die Fördereinheit (101) das Objekt dazu bringt, sich entlang einer Förderrichtung zu bewegen und somit den Scanbereich zu passieren (162);
    Erfassen, durch das lineare Detektorarray (103), von ersten Projektionsbildern, die während des Prozesses des Durchlaufens des Objekts durch den Scanbereich erzeugt werden, nachdem die durch die Vielzahl von Röntgenquellen emittierten Strahlungen das Objekt durchdrungen haben (163); und
    Erhalten, durch die Abbildungseinheit, eines ersten rekonstruierten Bildes des Objekts basierend auf den ersten Projektionsbildern der Vielzahl von Röntgenquellen (164).
  10. Scan-Bildgebungsverfahren nach Anspruch 9, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Schritt des Erhaltens des ersten rekonstruierten Bildes des Objekts umfasst:
    Rekonstruktion des ersten rekonstruierten Bildes des Objekts aus den ersten Projektionsbildern der Vielzahl von Röntgenquellen mit einem CT-Rekonstruktionsalgorithmus.
  11. Scan-Bildgebungsverfahren nach einem der Ansprüche 9 bis 10, so dass, wenn das Scanverfahren mit dem Scan-Bildgebungssystem nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 2 verwendet wird, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Scan-Bildgebungssystem ferner eine Dreheinheit (901) an einem Ende der Fördereinheit umfasst, wobei das Scan-Bildgebungsverfahren ferner umfasst:
    Drehen, durch die Dreheinheit, des Objekts um einen voreingestellten Winkel, wenn das Objekt den Scanbereich passiert und sich zu einem Ende der Fördereinheit bewegt (165);
    Bringen, durch die Fördereinheit, des gedrehten Objekts den Scanbereich zu passieren (166);
    Erfassen, durch das lineare Detektorarray, von zweiten Projektionsbildern, die während des Prozesses des Durchlaufens des gedrehten Objekts durch den Scanbereich erzeugt werden, nachdem die durch die Vielzahl von Röntgenquellen emittierten Strahlungen das gedrehte Objekt durchdrungen haben (167); und
    Erhalten, durch die Abbildungseinheit, eines zweiten rekonstruierten Bildes des Objekts basierend auf den ersten Projektionsbildern und den zweiten Projektionsbildern der Vielzahl von Röntgenquellen (168).
  12. Scan-Bildgebungsverfahren nach einem der Ansprüche 9 bis 11, so dass, wenn das Scanverfahren mit dem Scan-Bildgebungssystem nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 3 verwendet wird, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Scan-Bildgebungssystem ferner einen Impulsgenerator umfasst, und vor dem Schritt von Bilden des Scanbereiches, das Scan-Bildgebungsverfahren ferner umfasst: Erzeugen, durch den Impulsgenerator, einer Auslöseimpulssequenz zum Steuern der Vielzahl von Röntgenquellen, damit die Strahlungen abwechselnd emittiert werden.
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